Post by Deleted on Jan 26, 2012 12:29:00 GMT -5
Audit Finds Numerous Accounting Problems in Grundy County
Grundy County has numerous issues with accounting and bookkeeping practices that need to be corrected, a report by the Comptroller’s Division of County Audit shows.
The report, which was released today, contains 23 findings and recommendations for improving Grundy County government. Many of them deal with accounting practices that help ensure that public dollars are properly collected, recorded and spent or deposited. Auditors refer to these practices as internal controls.
For example, it is recommended that money-handling duties be separated so no single employee handles all aspects of a transaction. Having multiple employees involved creates checks and balances that reduce the opportunity for one rogue employee to steal money.
The audit found nine different Grundy County departments failed to properly segregate such duties.
Among the other findings:
• Three Grundy County school employees received a total of more than $13,000 in questionable compensation
• Seven school employees each received $600 bonuses not approved by the county’s board of education
• Expenditures exceeded appropriations for both the county mayor’s office and the director of schools’ office
• Deficiencies were identified in the purchasing procedures for the director of schools’ office
• The sheriff’s office used improper procedures to receipt and disburse funds
“What concerns me most about this audit is that many of the findings are repeat findings from previous years,” Comptroller Justin P. Wilson said. “Our auditors like to see signs that problems and potential problems have been corrected. Also, the high number of findings suggests that maybe record-keeping practices aren’t being taken as seriously as they should. I hope this will change and we will see a lot fewer findings in Grundy County’s audit next year.”
To view the report online, go to:
www.comptroller1.state.tn.us/ca/CountyAudits.asp?C=31
Grundy County has numerous issues with accounting and bookkeeping practices that need to be corrected, a report by the Comptroller’s Division of County Audit shows.
The report, which was released today, contains 23 findings and recommendations for improving Grundy County government. Many of them deal with accounting practices that help ensure that public dollars are properly collected, recorded and spent or deposited. Auditors refer to these practices as internal controls.
For example, it is recommended that money-handling duties be separated so no single employee handles all aspects of a transaction. Having multiple employees involved creates checks and balances that reduce the opportunity for one rogue employee to steal money.
The audit found nine different Grundy County departments failed to properly segregate such duties.
Among the other findings:
• Three Grundy County school employees received a total of more than $13,000 in questionable compensation
• Seven school employees each received $600 bonuses not approved by the county’s board of education
• Expenditures exceeded appropriations for both the county mayor’s office and the director of schools’ office
• Deficiencies were identified in the purchasing procedures for the director of schools’ office
• The sheriff’s office used improper procedures to receipt and disburse funds
“What concerns me most about this audit is that many of the findings are repeat findings from previous years,” Comptroller Justin P. Wilson said. “Our auditors like to see signs that problems and potential problems have been corrected. Also, the high number of findings suggests that maybe record-keeping practices aren’t being taken as seriously as they should. I hope this will change and we will see a lot fewer findings in Grundy County’s audit next year.”
To view the report online, go to:
www.comptroller1.state.tn.us/ca/CountyAudits.asp?C=31